Fuel Guage

[normaloo]

I purchased a 2009 Ranger 25 with the Garmin 2512 and the Yanmar 150 hp less than 100 hours and the fuel guages don't register. What could be the problem? Is it to do with the Garmin electronics or would it be something more serious and can I find the answer myself? Thanks for any help or advice you can give me!
Norm Williams

 

[TUG-A-LUG]

We had this same problem at haul out in october. We have the Cummins 150, and again the fuel guage on the Smart craft was not telling the truth. After fill up, it indicated empty w/ the low fuel warning activated. This continmued after running it a few times. I do keep a running record of consumption and fuel ups, but that can easily become distorted over time. And, of course, you never want to totally top off, for fear of over flow. So, what are the solutuions? Kit and Ginny

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I had the Smart Craft with Cummins on a prior boat and it seems to me the unit needs to be calibrated for the fuel tank to register properly. For us this was done by either the boat factory or when Cummins came out to do a Captains Briefing on the engine. As far as Yanmar I wonder if it might be the same situation. When you find out please let us all know.

 

[John Shea Jr.]

I have a 2010 R25, Yanmar 4BY2 150 and have had the same problem. I have worked with my dealer and with the TELEFLEX supplier. The latter was not too helpful. My dealer, WIYY, has helped by talking me through troubleshooting the problem. After a season of operation, we are still not sure if it is the gauge or the tank sending unit. We are going to follow it again this year to try to figure out what isn't working properly. I have found the Garmin 5215 to be quite accurate when I compare what it shows for remaining capacity when compared to the fuel I added at the pump. The TELEFLEX gauge shows a full tank even though i have used a quarter of the tank capacity or more.

 

[TUG-A-LUG]

I recalabrated the fuel guage last Summer, and it worked OK for some time, until the Fall. When we launch this Spring, I'll top off the tank and recalabrate again. Kit and Ginny

 

[RProffer]

How do you calibrate the fuel gauge? Do you calibrate the gauge, or the sender, or both?

 

[JerryE]

My fuel display (Yanmar 4BY2 150hp) shows either 100% full or empty. Of course with only 39 hours on it I figured I'd let the sender unit in the tank bounce around a bit, but I fear after reading this thread it may not be that easy. I'll be waiting for advice on how to recalibrate the gauge...

In the meantime, you can use your Garmin 5212 to get a pretty good estimate of the fuel consumption. Read the post -recalibrating the fuel guage on a Garmin 5212 - on this forum for advice on how to set it up. The manual that came with my Garmin is completely incorrect in its instructions on how to do this, so check out the post to see how its done if you have not yet figured it out. I describe my understanding of how to add a unit (GSF 10 Fuel Sensor for $200) to get the Garmin to read in real time what's in the tank, but it appears to not work with diesel engines. Nothing is easy...

 

[normaloo]

Thanks for all the input and as soon as opportunity presents itself I will be trying to recalibrate the fuel guage and if not successful I will keep VERY close tabs on the engine hours. Probably best to carry a container of diesel fuel on board just in case!! Thanks again, normaloo

 

[Intuition]

I have had a similar situation on my R25 150hp Yanmar. Andrew C. looked at it and fixed it - said it was some kind of an issue with a European built motor and controls. There is a control module in the starboard hatch in which he cut a wire I believe. The fuel guage then worked better. But also be aware that due to the tank profile, it will always record full until approximately 1/3 of the fuel is gone, then it seems to work better. I've have very good success on very long trips with the Garmin and capturing the fuel useage rate - know how much you put into the tank, know how much you are burning.